Yantai calls for sustainable island development at COP29

Yantai boasts 230 islands, with Changdao Island being China's first provincial-level ecological civilization comprehensive experimental area. [Photo/VCG]

Yantai made a splash at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) from Nov 13 to 15, hosting the "International Zero-Carbon Islands Cooperation Initiative" launch event and participating in the High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation on Climate Change.

During the "International Zero Carbon Islands Cooperation Initiative" launch event on Nov 13, the initiative was jointly launched by representatives from 32 domestic and international island cities, international organizations, universities, financial institutions, and businesses, among others.

The initiative calls for global island stakeholders to enhance cooperation in strengthening climate resilience, exploring zero-carbon pathways, protecting ecological resources, and engaging in interactive exchanges.

Two days later, Yantai co-hosted the High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation on Climate Change. The forum featured a discussion on "Building Best Practices in Global Climate Governance through Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation," during which the International Zero-Carbon Islands Cooperation Organization, led by Yantai, garnered significant attention.

This organization is the world's first international organization centered around zero-carbon islands, aiming to address climate change and sustainable development on islands, promoting international exchanges and cooperation among its members.

Over 50,000 islands worldwide are facing common climate challenges, with Yantai being home to 230 of them. Changdao Island is China's first provincial-level ecological civilization comprehensive experimental area.

In 2021, Yantai proposed the development of Changdao Island into an international zero-carbon island and unveiled a development plan at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference. The plan sets a goal for Changdao Island to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the board by 2035.

The launch event and forum mark the first significant international conferences hosted overseas by Yantai and hold major significance for the city in promoting international zero-carbon island cooperation and advancing island climate governance hand in hand.